Asia’s largest solar planet in Gujarat to save 8 mln tonnes of Carbon dioxide

Patan, Gujarat: One of the most backward areas of northern Gujarat is shining on the world’s map like Sun. Known for its intense heat and scarcity of water, Patan has set an unprecedented example in front of the entire country.

Known for receiving abundant sunlight almost throughout the year, the region boosts of Asia’s largest solar plant.

Gujarat Solar Park is the name used for a group of solar parks being constructed in Gujarat, India. Certificates of completion were issued on April 19, 2012, for a total of 605 MW, which included some sections that were already operational, and 856.81 MW had been completed by March 31, 2013. One is the Charanka Solar Park, a group of 17 thin-film photovoltaic (PV) power systems, on a 2,000-hectare (4,900-acre) site in the district of Patan.

The solar park is expected to save around 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere and save around 900,000 tonnes of natural gas per year.

A total of 84 developers have registered to build a total of 968.5 MW, from 1 to 40 MW. An increase to 1,000 MW is expected to be completed by 2013.

Power purchase agreement

Rs15 (about USD 0.29) per kWh for the first 12 years and Rs. 5 (about USD 0.10) per kWh from the 13th to 25th year. The national solar policy has fixed tariffs of Rs17 for photovoltaic and Rs15 for solar thermal for 25 years.

About 600 MW were completed prior to the deadline of January 28, 2012 to receive the above tariff. Systems completed after that date are subject to a lower tariff.

Charanka Solar Park

The largest site within the Gujarat Solar Park is being built on a 2,000-hectare (4,900-acre) plot of land near Charanka village in Patan district, northern Gujarat. This hosts about 19 different projects by different developers.

On 19 April 2012, a total of 214 megawatts (287,000 hp) had been commissioned. It also became the world’s second largest photovoltaic power station. When fully built out, the Charanka Solar Park will host 500 MW of solar power systems using state-of-the-art thin film technology, and should be finished by the end of 2014. The investment cost for the Charanka solar park amounts to some US$280 million. Construction began on December 3, 2010.